A system for printing on containers or vessels, such as plastic cups, may use one or more inkjet printer head to produce an image on the exterior of a vessel. A planar digital image may be transposed to a surface corresponding to the surface of a vessel being printed upon. A dial driven by an indexer may bear a plurality of mandrels through stations within the system to print, cure, and process images and/or the vessel surface. Each mandrel may receive a vessel and then transport the vessel to at least one printing station and at least one curing station before the vessel is removed from the mandrel.

A system for printing on containers or vessels, such as plastic cups, may use one or more inkjet printer head to produce an image on the exterior of a vessel. A planar digital image may be transposed to a surface corresponding to the surface of a vessel being printed upon. A dial driven by an indexer may bear a plurality of mandrels through stations within the system to print, cure, and process images and/or the vessel surface. Each mandrel may receive a vessel and then transport the vessel to at least one printing station and at least one curing station before the vessel is removed from the mandrel.

A decorator assembly includes a cup holder assembly, a cup transfer assembly, and a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The cup holder assembly is structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration. The cup transfer assembly is structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The decorator mandrel turret assembly is structured to rotatably support a number of cups.

A post printing treatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a post printing treatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The post printing treatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.

A device 1 for imprinting cans 8 comprises a plurality of ink cartridges 2a-2f that supply ink to a plurality of printing plates 3a-3f; the printing plates 2a-2f communicate with transfer blankets 5a-5l fixed to drum 6, the transfer blankets 5a-5l move ink from the printing plates 2a-2f and apply it to cans 8; each transfer blanket 2a-2f includes a different art in low relief (FIG. 15) which produces an image on cans 8 in addition to the image produced by printing plates 2a-2f; the device 1 is preferably a rotary dry offset printer. A method of printing cans comprising forming a relief image in a transfer blanket with a laser is also disclosed.

A device 1 for imprinting cans 8 comprises a plurality of ink cartridges 2a-2f that supply ink to a plurality of printing plates 3a-3f; the printing plates 2a-2f communicate with transfer blankets 5a-5l fixed to drum 6, the transfer blankets 5a-5l move ink from the printing plates 2a-2f and apply it to cans 8; each transfer blanket 2a-2f includes a different art in low relief (FIG. 15) which produces an image on cans 8 in addition to the image produced by printing plates 2a-2f; the device 1 is preferably a rotary dry offset printer. A method of printing cans comprising forming a relief image in a transfer blanket with a laser is also disclosed.

There are provided a printing blanket which maintains the accuracy of printing of an image, and also prevents a failure of transfer of an ink from an original printing plate to the printing blanket, a method for manufacturing the printing blanket, and a printing method using the printing blanket. The printing blanket according to the present invention includes an elastic body which deforms in conformity to the shape of a to-be-printed surface. The elastic body includes a printing surface to be pressed against the to-be-printed surface. In the printing surface, an entire region is provided with a plurality of irregularities are formed over the entire surface of the printing surface, and an elevation difference from a highest part of the irregularities to a lowest part thereof falls within the range of 2 to 20 m.

A post printing treatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a post printing treatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The post printing treatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.

A mandrel wherein a portion of the mandrel body outer surface is conical; i.e., flared outwardly, is provided. In this configuration, the necked can is drawn against the conical portion of the mandrel body outer surface while a generally cylindrical portion of the mandrel body extends into the can. Further, the space between the cylindrical portion of the mandrel body and the can is pressurized so as to resist deformations in the can during the decorating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the mandrel includes an elongated mandrel body with an outer surface, a proximal, first end, a proximal medial portion, a distal medial portion, and a distal, second end and having an axis of rotation. The mandrel body outer surface includes an elongated conical portion; the mandrel body outer surface conical portion is disposed adjacently about the mandrel body first end.

A post printing treatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a post printing treatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The post printing treatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.